How do Gelatinous Cubes reproduce?

[unseenmage]

Is there precedent in a sourcebook (or a novel even) as to how oozes without the Split special quality reproduce?

How've you handled similar as a DM?

Any suggestions for a DM or player as to the farming of non-Split-enabled oozes?


Edit:
Folks over at Candlekeep found this reference,

I did find something regarding the Gelatinous Cube, per Dragon Magazine 124 and Ed's Ecology of the Gelatinous Cube: "Normal-sized cubes divide after a period of six years. Each of the two resulting cubes has 3 HD, half the number of hit points the "parent" cube originally had, and a size of slightly under 8' x 8' x 8'. These "little" cubes grow to maturity in three months."

Arms and Equipment page 85 also has the price for a "Young" G. Cube of 5,000gp.

[Kudaku]

A variety of techniques for creating gelatinous cubes and other oozes in a laboratory exist, several of which may be found in an ancient tome called A Treatise on Jellies, Puddings, and Other Dangerous Oozes. One process involves summoned gangs of ooze mephits and lemures, which are transmuted into mindless protoplasm using the flesh to ooze spell. The resulting ooze is then treated with an alchemical concoction of aboleth slime and paralytic chuul extract before being poured into a large, 10-foot-square wooden mold. Kept warm and moist, by the time its acid has dissolved the wooden mold the ooze has solidified and matured into a full-grown gelatinous cube. Despite the extraplanar nature of the creatures used in its creation, the gelatinous cube is not an outsider, although different recipes may create one with the fiendish template.

- Dungeon Denizens Revisited. Copyright 2009, Paizo Publishing, LLC Authors Clinton Boomer, Jason Bulmahn, Joshua J. Frost, Nicolas Logue, Robert McCreary, Jason Nelson, Richard Pett, Sean K Reynolds, James L. Sutter, and Greg A. Vaughan.

[Fouredged Sword]

According to the BoEF

One slime + adventurer with sharp sword = two slimes.

[Malimar]

I always figured most oozes still reproduce by something like mitosis, just not stabbing-activated mitosis if they lack Split. If you chop an amoeba in half, you don't get two amoebae, you get two dead half-amoebae, but that doesn't mean amoebae don't reproduce by mitosis.

[Sam K]

Is there precedent in a sourcebook (or a novel even) as to how oozes without the Split special quality reproduce?

How've you handled similar as a DM?

Any suggestions for a DM or player as to the farming of non-Split-enabled oozes?

Well, you see, when a mommy gelatinous cube and a daddy gelatinous cube love eachother very much...

[Almarck]

Oozes are basically masses of single celled organisms that are connected together and flow as one.

As single celled organisms reproduce via mitosis when there is sufficient nutrients, the ooze gets bigger the more it is fed.
Eventually, the ooze will reach a critcal mass where its reproduced so much of itself that it cannot keep together all of the individual things that constitute it. As a result, it breaks up and then turns into two oozes

[Snowbluff]

A variety of techniques for creating gelatinous cubes and other oozes in a laboratory exist, several of which may be found in an ancient tome called A Treatise on Jellies, Puddings, and Other Dangerous Oozes. One process involves summoned gangs of ooze mephits and lemures, which are transmuted into mindless protoplasm using the flesh to ooze spell. The resulting ooze is then treated with an alchemical concoction of aboleth slime and paralytic chuul extract before being poured into a large, 10-foot-square wooden mold. Kept warm and moist, by the time its acid has dissolved the wooden mold the ooze has solidified and matured into a full-grown gelatinous cube. Despite the extraplanar nature of the creatures used in its creation, the gelatinous cube is not an outsider, although different recipes may create one with the fiendish template.

- Dungeon Denizens Revisited. Copyright 2009, Paizo Publishing, LLC Authors Clinton Boomer, Jason Bulmahn, Joshua J. Frost, Nicolas Logue, Robert McCreary, Jason Nelson, Richard Pett, Sean K Reynolds, James L. Sutter, and Greg A. Vaughan.

Okay, that sounds like a huge waste of all of those materials.

[Fouredged Sword]

I assume they split sometime after advancing to huge. The 15x15x15 cube splits into three 10x10x10 cubes. Some of the volume (375 ft^3) is lost in the split.

[sakuuya]

Did you ever have Jello jigglers growing up? It's like that. :smallbiggrin:

Honestly, though, I think Almarck is right on the money.

[dragonsamurai77]

Alternatively, introduce a Cube to a dragon.

[SiuiS]

Oozes are basically masses of single celled organisms that are connected together and flow as one.

As single celled organisms reproduce via mitosis when there is sufficient nutrients, the ooze gets bigger the more it is fed.
Eventually, the ooze will reach a critcal mass where its reproduced so much of itself that it cannot keep together all of the individual things that constitute it. As a result, it breaks up and then turns into two oozes

Many default oozes are actually single called organisms, actually. The ochre jelly specifically (black pudding was always multicellular, so was green slime).

[daremetoidareyo]

I'm extrapolating from some slime based biology here. Some slimes simply divide, pseudo-mitotically when they approach a predetermined mass. You have a slime that is man sized, it stumbles upon a decaying skywhale, it eats until it is large size, divides in half to make two small sized slimes, and they continue to grow exponentially until they reach the carrying capacity of the food source. This is a trend that is repeated through biology, the population curve would look like this for plankton, slime, microbes, rabbits, etc. http://www.mrothery.co.uk/ecology/Image30.gif

Now, gelatinous cubes are dangerous creatures, but actually very little is known about their reproductive biology. One ancient tome has them categorized by size, leading one to conclude that there is no upper limit to a gelatinous cube's size except for the ooze's ability to withstand pressure (ooze is only so elastic, so eventually pressure would become an issue.) Oozes cannot spontaneously reform clones of themselves from being hacked into separate pieces like slimes or planarian worms. This suggests that gelatinous cubes have discrete reproductive behaviors, (which may include splitting, although current research suggests otherwise). It is this researchers hypothesis, then, that gelatinous cubes need a specific input in order to reproduce. Often found in dungeons underground, the ooze subsists on a diet of carbon based organic molecules, punctuated by an inability to digest "metals." What chemicals do they specifically need to trigger mitosis, if reproduction is not mediated by mass acquisition? Considering that the planet isn't covered by a series of giant oozes, I am left with the scary conclusion that the gelatinous cube is the final stage of egg dispersal of a largely invisible or infinitessimally smaller organism that requires the entrapment and escape of foodstuff creatures. Foodstuff creatures that use tools, specifically.

The translucent body is often reported as containing arms, armor, glass, and sometimes harder to digest materials like papyrus, wood, and cloth, if the last victim was consumed under a week ago. The tools act as a lure. The tool using life forms then reach into the ooze, trapping themselves. Sometimes they escape, covered in a viscous mass of gross, which they simply wash off. It is my contention that the act of getting stuck inside of, then removed from, a mass of gelatinous cube completes the life cycle. The ooze enters the mucous membranes of the demi-human body, is carried around in the hosts biological processes, and then new, fresh gelatinous cube eggs are excreted by the host. When the "eggs", which act similarly to fungal hyphae, meet each other, they exchange seminal materials and develop the reproductive organic form of a gelatinous cube (again like a fungus). This cube eats organic material until it reaches a size that it can find its preferred tool using humanoid sentient beings to complete its life cycle.

[unseenmage]

I'm extrapolating from some slime based biology here. Some slimes simply divide, pseudo-mitotically when they approach a predetermined mass. You have a slime that is man sized, it stumbles upon a decaying skywhale, it eats until it is large size, divides in half to make two small sized slimes, and they continue to grow exponentially until they reach the carrying capacity of the food source. This is a trend that is repeated through biology, the population curve would look like this for plankton, slime, microbes, rabbits, etc. http://www.mrothery.co.uk/ecology/Image30.gif

Now, gelatinous cubes are dangerous creatures, but actually very little is known about their reproductive biology. One ancient tome has them categorized by size, leading one to conclude that there is no upper limit to a gelatinous cube's size except for the ooze's ability to withstand pressure (ooze is only so elastic, so eventually pressure would become an issue.) Oozes cannot spontaneously reform clones of themselves from being hacked into separate pieces like slimes or planarian worms. This suggests that gelatinous cubes have discrete reproductive behaviors, (which may include splitting, although current research suggests otherwise). It is this researchers hypothesis, then, that gelatinous cubes need a specific input in order to reproduce. Often found in dungeons underground, the ooze subsists on a diet of carbon based organic molecules, punctuated by an inability to digest "metals." What chemicals do they specifically need to trigger mitosis, if reproduction is not mediated by mass acquisition? Considering that the planet isn't covered by a series of giant oozes, I am left with the scary conclusion that the gelatinous cube is the final stage of egg dispersal of a largely invisible or infinitessimally smaller organism that requires the entrapment and escape of foodstuff creatures. Foodstuff creatures that use tools, specifically.

The translucent body is often reported as containing arms, armor, glass, and sometimes harder to digest materials like papyrus, wood, and cloth, if the last victim was consumed under a week ago. The tools act as a lure. The tool using life forms then reach into the ooze, trapping themselves. Sometimes they escape, covered in a viscous mass of gross, which they simply wash off. It is my contention that the act of getting stuck inside of, then removed from, a mass of gelatinous cube completes the life cycle. The ooze enters the mucous membranes of the demi-human body, is carried around in the hosts biological processes, and then new, fresh gelatinous cube eggs are excreted by the host. When the "eggs", which act similarly to fungal hyphae, meet each other, they exchange seminal materials and develop the reproductive organic form of a gelatinous cube (again like a fungus). This cube eats organic material until it reaches a size that it can find its preferred tool using humanoid sentient beings to complete its life cycle.

Pure Grade-A nightmare fuel. Thanks for that.

More seriously, wow is that a detailed idea.

[Oddman80]

My guess is... messily and with many "squerlch" sounds

[ZamielVanWeber]

I was gonna say binary fission. They don't seem complex enough for mitosis.

[PaucaTerrorem]

Ever seen two fat people goin at it? Kinda like that.

[Rizban]

I'm rather surprised no one has responded with the obvious solution.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/a0/Jello-Cherry-Box-Small.jpg

[Blackhawk748]

I'm extrapolating from some slime based biology here. Some slimes simply divide, pseudo-mitotically when they approach a predetermined mass. You have a slime that is man sized, it stumbles upon a decaying skywhale, it eats until it is large size, divides in half to make two small sized slimes, and they continue to grow exponentially until they reach the carrying capacity of the food source. This is a trend that is repeated through biology, the population curve would look like this for plankton, slime, microbes, rabbits, etc. http://www.mrothery.co.uk/ecology/Image30.gif

Now, gelatinous cubes are dangerous creatures, but actually very little is known about their reproductive biology. One ancient tome has them categorized by size, leading one to conclude that there is no upper limit to a gelatinous cube's size except for the ooze's ability to withstand pressure (ooze is only so elastic, so eventually pressure would become an issue.) Oozes cannot spontaneously reform clones of themselves from being hacked into separate pieces like slimes or planarian worms. This suggests that gelatinous cubes have discrete reproductive behaviors, (which may include splitting, although current research suggests otherwise). It is this researchers hypothesis, then, that gelatinous cubes need a specific input in order to reproduce. Often found in dungeons underground, the ooze subsists on a diet of carbon based organic molecules, punctuated by an inability to digest "metals." What chemicals do they specifically need to trigger mitosis, if reproduction is not mediated by mass acquisition? Considering that the planet isn't covered by a series of giant oozes, I am left with the scary conclusion that the gelatinous cube is the final stage of egg dispersal of a largely invisible or infinitessimally smaller organism that requires the entrapment and escape of foodstuff creatures. Foodstuff creatures that use tools, specifically.

The translucent body is often reported as containing arms, armor, glass, and sometimes harder to digest materials like papyrus, wood, and cloth, if the last victim was consumed under a week ago. The tools act as a lure. The tool using life forms then reach into the ooze, trapping themselves. Sometimes they escape, covered in a viscous mass of gross, which they simply wash off. It is my contention that the act of getting stuck inside of, then removed from, a mass of gelatinous cube completes the life cycle. The ooze enters the mucous membranes of the demi-human body, is carried around in the hosts biological processes, and then new, fresh gelatinous cube eggs are excreted by the host. When the "eggs", which act similarly to fungal hyphae, meet each other, they exchange seminal materials and develop the reproductive organic form of a gelatinous cube (again like a fungus). This cube eats organic material until it reaches a size that it can find its preferred tool using humanoid sentient beings to complete its life cycle.

*runs on screen in a blue tunic with a stupid blue hat on,stuffs into a brown sack and runs off giggling*

[deuxhero]

How do cubes reproduce? Factoring!

[Rizban]

How do cubes reproduce? Factoring!

You're such a square.

[unseenmage]

How do cubes reproduce? Factoring!

You're such a square.
Just for those groaners it is now your responsibility to generate monster stats for the dreaded Gelatinous Square. :smallmad::smalltongue:

[Rizban]

Just for those groaners it is now your responsibility to generate monster stats for the dreaded Gelatinous Square. :smallmad::smalltongue:

Well, it would certainly have the kind of attacks that just floor you.

[Chronos]

Hey, I once came up with stats for a Gelatinous Tesseract.

[Rizban]

Hey, I once came up with stats for a Gelatinous Tesseract.

Did you stat it up with ADHD? Or just stick with 2nd edition?

[Stegyre]

I would expect he just integrated, just as one would make a square one by differentiating.

[T.G. Oskar]

Well, you see, when a mommy gelatinous cube and a daddy gelatinous cube love eachother very much...

Erm...wouldn't it be better to, given the data, prefer saying "well, you see, when a gelatinous cube grows really, really big..." It was mentioned as Nightmare Fuel already, so at least teaching a kid about conception ends up less groan-worthy.

Unless...maybe the kid goes "Dad, that's awesome! Do we [insert humanoid race] reproduce the same way!?"

[Inevitability]

Just for those groaners it is now your responsibility to generate monster stats for the dreaded Gelatinous Square. :smallmad::smalltongue:

We better also get a Gelatinous Line and a Gelatinous Point, too! :smalltongue:

[atemu1234]

According to the BoEF

One slime + adventurer with sharp sword = two slimes.

Actually, it was closer to this:

One ooze, idiot hits ooze with sword, two oozes.

[Toilet Cobra]

Is there precedent in a sourcebook

PF okay? There's a good writeup of the GCube in Dungeon Denizens Revisited, but even there there's only these two small paragraphs:


Although gelatinous cubes were originally created through magical experimentation, they can reproduce on their own, and can now be found throughout the world. Gelatinous cubes replicate themselves asexually, usually through budding. When food is plentiful, a cube may extrude a small part of itself, which soon drops off to become a separate gelatinous cube. Such young are of small size, and live in some danger, as they are frequently reabsorbed by their mindless parent. Given enough food and luck, however, a young budded cube can grow to full size within a month's time.

Rarely, gelatinous cubes have been known to reproduce via fission, though this has only been observed in large habitats with an overabundance of food. In these cases, an adult cube divides itself into two equal cubes of medium size. With plentiful food available, these cubes usually avoid the threat of reabsorption and quickly grow to Large size. As such, this method remains the most successful means of gelatinous cube reproduction.


So to breed up a whole pod of cubes, just keep them free range and toss them a goblin a day.

[Keld Denar]

Oozie Oozeborn, adventurer's nightmare!
Advanced Gelatinous Cube
Size: Huge
HD: 16d10+144 (232 hp)
Initiative: -5
Speed: 15 ft
AC: 1, Touch 1, Flat 1)
BAB/Grab: +12/+20
Attack: Slam +10 (1d6+1d6 Acid)
Full Attack: Slam +10 (1d6+1d6 Acid)
Space/Reach: 15 ft/10 ft
Special Attacks: Acid, Engulf, Paralysis
Special Qualities: Blindsight 60’, Immune to Electricity, Ooze Traits, Transparent
Saves: F+13 R+0 W+0
Abilities: Str 10 Dex - Con 29 Int - Wis 1 Cha 1
Skills: -
Feats: -\
CR: 6

Acid (Ex)
A gelatinous cube’s acid does not harm metal or stone.
Engulf (Ex)
Although it moves slowly, a gelatinous cube can simply mow down Large or smaller creatures as a standard action. It cannot make a slam attack during a round in which it engulfs. The gelatinous cube merely has to move over the opponents, affecting as many as it can cover. Opponents can make opportunity attacks against the cube, but if they do so they are not entitled to a saving throw. Those who do not attempt attacks of opportunity must succeed on a DC 13 Reflex save or be engulfed; on a success, they are pushed back or aside (opponent’s choice) as the cube moves forward. Engulfed creatures are subject to the cube’s paralysis and acid, and are considered to be grappled and trapped within its body. The save DC is Strength-based and includes a +1 racial bonus.
Paralysis (Ex)
A gelatinous cube secretes an anesthetizing slime. A target hit by a cube’s melee or engulf attack must succeed on a DC 26 Fortitude save or be paralyzed for 3d6 rounds. The cube can automatically engulf a paralyzed opponent. The save DC is Constitution-based.
Transparent (Ex)
Gelatinous cubes are hard to see, even under ideal conditions, and it takes a DC 15 Spot check to notice one. Creatures who fail to notice a cube and walk into it are automatically engulfed.

Behold, a gelatinous cube on the brink of budding off new life!

[Rizban]

I want my next character to be a gelatinous cube with class levels... maybe in oozemaster.

[Solaris]

Actually, it was closer to this:

One ooze, idiot hits ooze with sword, two oozes.

"Adventurer" and "Idiot" are synonyms.

[unseenmage]

I want my next character to be a gelatinous cube with class levels... maybe in oozemaster.

You could always use the Monstrous Lycanthrope (http://greenronin.com/blog/2014/10/30/monster_week_monstrous_lycanth/) template to make a Were-Gelatinous Cube.